Yes Larry to do his mum proud at Emerald

By Jordan Gerrans

Argento Perlo provided long-time Central West racing identities Max Tanks and Julienne Eggerling a thrilling ride in ownership and they are hopeful she will do the same in her next chapter in the industry.

Argento Perlo’s first foal – Yes Larry – is set to debut at Emerald on Friday following an impressive maiden trial at Dalby last month. 

Argento Perlo was one of the first horses Tanks raced as an owner, starting back in 2018, before he went into other gallopers, as well as taking on a committee position at the Longreach Jockey Club.

“She turned up as an unraced four-year-old and she was this real big, plain and leggy type,” Tanks recalls of Argento Perlo all those years ago. 

“For her to turn into what she did, we wouldn’t have dreamed of that. 

“Julienne Eggerling was in the ownership as well and she's been breeding homebred horses for quite a while now.

“I knew that Julienne would want to stay on, as well. 

“The ownership group was given an option so Julienne and I decided that we would stay in and breed with her.”

Argento Perlo retired in June of 2021 with 11 victories on her resume to go with 19 other minor placings from 53 efforts across the Central and North West of Queensland.

Tanks and Eggerling raced the mare in a group alongside seven others, with many of the connections first-time owners in the sport at the time.

Top Longreach conditioner Mark Oates was in the original ownership of Argento Perlo and will prepare Yes Larry for his maiden race campaign. 

Eggerling is Oates’ long-time stable foreman and offsider at the races.

Following her racing days, Argento Perlo went to Clear Mountain Fairview with stud manager Michael Frappell and was put to stallion Worthy Cause.

Yes Larry was on the books of Darling Downs horseman Nicholas Beck for a trial last month when the gelding scored by more than a length over 800 metres at Dalby. 

He also had a preparation as a two-year-old last year.

The plan was for the three-year-old to always head back to the Central West and Oates’ barn, which he has done in recent weeks ahead of his maiden assignment. 

Yes Larry received the key booking of top heavyweight rider Ashley Butler for his maiden appearance on Friday.

He heads to the QTIS Maiden Plate over 1100 metres on Friday. 

“He's still very green,” the 31-year-old Tanks said.

“But, in saying that, his progression from a jump-out at Toowoomba to that trial, he's just sort of really come along. Each time he's asked to raise the bar, he sort of keeps stepping up to the plate.

“We're very conscious that he's definitely going to improve off the back of this prep.

“We're expecting a forward showing on Friday just based off what he's been showing us so far. Race pressure is a different beast, but he keeps stepping up to the plate so far.

“I think he's going to be a better older horse than he is a younger horse, anyway.” 

Yes Larry was given his racing name after the Frappell clan referred to him as ‘Larry Long Legs’ when he was a youngster due to his lengthy limbs.

“The Frappell family at Clear Mountain Fairview have been great throughout the whole breeding process,” Tanks said.

“They've obviously done a lot of the leg work. They've helped us with, in terms of stallion selection, that sort of stuff, as well.

“We've been really fortunate in that aspect.”

Argento Perlo also has a two-year-old by Love Conquers All and another colt on the ground by Worthy Cause. 

Alongside Yes Larry, the Oates stable will also take Legolas and Highground to Emerald on Friday.

The 57-year-old Oates has prepared four winners from his last nine starters.